Linear Algebra
Department of Economics
Fall 2015
National Taipei University
Class time: 14:10-17:00 Thursday
Classroom: 社科大樓 113
Instructor: Chien-Ho Wang (王健合)
Office: 社科大樓 room 3F36
Office phone number: (02)86741111-67172
e-mail: wangchi3@mail.ntpu.edu.tw
Office Hour: Thursday 13:10-14:00 or by appointment.
This is an undergraduate course to introduce linear algebra. Linear algebra is a
basic analytical tool for linear system. In economics models, like differential equations or
simultaneous equations models, we often use linear system to obtain solutions. This class
will bring in some basic ideas about linear algebra. After students finish this class,
students can understand how to use linear algebra in economics models. For some
students who want to take mathematics for economists at junior, this class will give some
preparations.
The textbook I use in this class is
Textbook:
Linear Algebra with Applications by Keith Nicholson, 7th.Edition, 2013,
McGraw-Hill companies (新月圖書代理)
Other useful references:
Elementary Linear Algebra (Application edition) by Howard Anton and Chris
Rorres, 9th.Edition, 2005, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (新月圖書代理)
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The topics I will cover in this semester as below:
1. Systems of Linear Equations
Anton Chapter 1.1-1.2; Nicholson Chapter 1
2. Matrix Algebra
Anton Chapter 1.3-1.7; Nicholson Chapter 2
3. Determinants and Diagonalization
Anton Chapter 2, Chapter 7.1-7.2; Nicholson Chapter 3
4. Vector Geometry
Anton Chapter 3; Nicholson Chapter 4
5. The Vector Space
Anton Chapter 5.1; Nicholson Chapter 5.1-5.2
There will be one mid-exam and one final exam for this course. In addition, there
will be three take home exercises that everyone will have to hand in. The grade scheme is
as below:
Homework (total 3 times):
10%
Class participation: 5%
Mid-exam:
40%
Final exam (Comprehensive):
45%
In this class, we have 3 homeworks. I will count two best scores of three homeworks for
final grade. There is one mid-exam in this class. The temporary schedules of mid-exam
are November 12, 2015. Mid-exams will count 40% for final score. The final exam
(January 14, 2016) will count 45%.
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